What are the top trends in design-build construction for 2025?

If you’re a business owner or commercial property manager considering adding new builds to your portfolio in 2025, you’re not alone. The U.S. construction market is expected to continue to grow this year despite some ongoing challenges, including labor shortages across the skilled trades, unpredictable material costs, and more frequent and extreme weather events that can impact build timelines.

Design-build construction can help projects stay ahead of costly construction challenges like these with upfront planning and trade collaboration that streamlines project management. It is also one of the most advanced methods of planning and construction, incorporating emerging construction trends that can help building owners maximize their budgets. Here are some of the top trends we’re seeing for 2025:

Better Technology Integration

From artificial intelligence to more advanced data analysis, the design-build process takes the best of modern technology while assuring human oversight does things the right way. For example, AI can be used to analyze data provided by architects, engineers and the trades to predict project outcomes, optimize build schedules, and maximize – or seek out — efficiencies. Software can also be used to facilitate communication across all stakeholders in the build process. Design-build firms like STAR are leveraging data analytics to forecast project risks, optimize resource allocation, and improve overall project outcomes.

A Sustainable POV

The most sustainable building is one that lasts and uses materials that have a more ecofriendly lifecycle. Cradle-to-the-grave thinking is important when it comes to material selection, and a design-build team can weigh the benefits of every aspect of a project. For example, does sourcing closer to home to reduce transportation costs in a meaningful way? What energy-efficient traits need to be considered outside of insulation and HVAC systems? How does the entire building envelope factor into the performance of the property? Any factor that is important to a building owner – from reducing energy costs to ongoing maintenance for a building – can be looked at early in the design process.

Maximizing Labor

In recent years, key trade skills like bricklaying, welding and material handling have become more automated, thanks to robotics equipment. The design-build team can evaluate the use of robotics for certain tasks and determine upfront if the costs offset any proposed labor concerns.

Prefabricated or Modular Construction Methods

Design-build planning evaluates a vast portfolio of construction possibilities – including the emergence of prefabricated or modular building components. From walls built in a factory-controlled environment to cast concrete used for key structural areas of a building, offsite prefabrication can overcome weather concerns, expedite timelines, and possibly reduce costs. A design-build team will look at these considerations from everyone’s point-of-view.

People-Friendly, Flex Spaces

Today’s buildings must deliver more versatility and flexibility, enhance wellness and promote social interactions. Utilizing outside-in and adaptable design are all important. The design-build method can raise questions about potential design considerations before costly decisions are made – saving on change orders down the road.

Can your industry benefit from design-build to take advantage of these trends?

Design-build is being used across a variety of industries. At STAR Inc., we’ve seen the trends influence many of our clients’ decisions, including: